Moustafa meets David Miliband in disaster-affected area of Pakistan

While visiting the disaster-affected area of Pakistan (Yar Hussein Camp), Moustafa met the UK Foreign Secretary, Mr David Miliband MP.



Photos Shabbir Hussain Imam, Peshawar - Pakistan

Tsunami Aftermath: Development of an indigenous homegarden in Banda Aceh

Moustafa Osman is co-author of an article published in Urban Agriculture (UA) Magazine no. 21 - Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development: A role for urban agriculture?

On 26 December 2004, a major underwater earthquake to the west of the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggered an extensive and devastating tsunami that impacted the entire South East Asia region and reached as far as the East African coastline. The Banda Aceh region located in the north of Sumatra bore the brunt of the tsunami, which resulted in catastrophic damage along the coastline, killing thousands of people and leaving an estimated 400,000 people homeless.

A copy of the full article is available here.

DIHAD 2009

Moustafa attended DIHAD (Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference & Exhibition) 2009, held from 7-9 April 2009 in Dubai, UAE. He was invited to give a presentation at the panel discussion 'Case Studies of Mitigation, Preparedness and Response to Disasters and other emergencies at the Community Level Urban and Rural Environments'. He used the case of Bangladesh, a country regularly and increasingly affected by disasters (esp. floods and cyclones).

INEE Global Consultation

Moustafa will be in Istanbul, Turkey, to attend the INEE Global Consultation. The Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) is a global, open network of non-governmental organisations, UN agencies, donors, practitioners, researchers and individuals from affected populations working together within a humanitarian and development framework to ensure the right to education in emergencies and post-crisis reconstruction.

For more info on the event, click here.

Tsunami Aftermath: Development of an indigenous homegarden in Banda Aceh

Moustafa co-authored the following article:

Adam-Bradford, A. and Osman, M. (2009) Tsunami Aftermath: Development of an indigenous homegarden in Banda Aceh. Urban Agriculture Magazine, 21: 29-30

It's just been published! For access:
http://www.ruaf.org/index.php?q=node/101

Start of Disaster Management course at IDD

Today, Moustafa started teaching the module 'Introduction to Disaster Management' at the International Development Department of Birmingham University in England, UK. It will last 6 full days on Saturdays.

As per the description on the IDD website: "This module introduces participants to the main principles of disaster management, with a focus on disaster response in the developing world. The course will promote the sharing of relevant technical skills and knowledge, and will equip participants with adequate analytical skills through developing key understanding of disaster management procedures, needs assessment methods, Humanitarian principles and values, Introduction to the Humanitarian law Sphere standards, civil / military relations during emergencies, working with refugees and IDPs, and adhering to agreed international standards."

MBR hosts successful Sphere Arabic ToT

From 20-29 December, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment (MBR) hosted the first Sphere Arabic Training of Trainers in the Gulf. 24 participants, MBR staff and partners from countries including Afghanistan, Indonesia and Oman as well as different Emirates of the UAE, enjoyed nine days of intensive exposure to the international humanitarian principles and tools, including international humanitarian law, education in emergencies and how to deal with the media. Trainees both learned about the theory of humanitarian aid, as well as the practical aspects by setting up a camp site for example.

Moustafa Osman, lead trainer, stated: "This training is yet another sign of the interest and efforts of Middle East based organisations in building their capacity in disaster preparedness and response, in professionalising their humanitarian aid".

Formed in 1997, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment aims to promote charity and humanitarian work by helping the poor and the needy among nationals and expatriates living in the UAE. The foundation also actively contributes towards developing other communities outside the UAE by working to improve their educational, health and economic conditions.

The Sphere Project was launched in 1997 by a group of humanitarian NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. Sphere is based on two core beliefs: first, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of calamity and conflict, and second, that those affected by disaster have a right to life with dignity and therefore a right to assistance. Sphere is three things: a handbook, a broad process of collaboration and an expression of commitment to quality and accountability. The project has developed several tools, the key one being the handbook. For more information: www.sphereproject.org

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation hosted a Sphere Arabic Training of Trainers (ToT). The training was organised as part of its desire to improve effective and accountable service provision and to institutionalise Sphere.